Chapter Thirty Eight
Renascence
We had been running nonstop towards Jeanne's location after they had informed us that they had detected a servant near their location. We were just coming over a hill when Jeanne, Scathach, and Knight clad in Bronze Armor came over the other side of the hill. They were drenched as a rain storm had encroached upon the region and it was raining lightly.
"Mashu! Chris!" Jeanne exclaimed as she rushed up and hugged Mashu. Mashu embraced Jeanne and the two held each other tightly.
"Ah, thank god you're alright Jeanne-san!" Mashu said and let Jeanne go and placed her arms on Jeanne's shoulder and Jeanne did the same. "Doctor Roman had informed us that he had detected more servants at your location, we feared that perhaps enemy servants had ambushed you. So we rushed here as quickly as we could!" Mashu exclaimed, Mashu turned her gaze to the Knight clad in Bronze armor. "If I may ask who you are Sir Knight?" Mashu inquired.
"I am Saint George, but you may call me George if you prefer." George said bowing his head with his hand on his chest. I glanced around and it seemed like someone was missing…
"Where is Maria?" Amadeus asked speaking up before I could ask. I turned my attention at Scathach.
"Lancer where is Marie?" I asked and raised an eyebrow. Scathach glanced over her shoulder out at the distance. In the distance was the outline of a small town, and black smoke was rising from the ruins.
"Marie is…Marie is dead." Jeanne said and I looked at Jeanne with widened eyes. Then I returned my glance to Scathach and narrowed my eyes at her as I walked up to her.
"Lancer what the hell does Jeanne mean by Marie is dead?" I asked and Scathach looked back over her shoulder at me with her usual blank expression.
"Exactly as it sounds Marie is dead. No doubt she was killed by Alter Jeanne." Scathach replied and my hand curled into a fist.
"How the hell did that happen, Lancer? I specifically informed you to make sure everyone came back alive. I put Jeanne and Marie's lives in your hands." I said irritated. "Did you get her killed on purpose?" I sneered and a vein popped on the back of Scathach's head as she narrowed her eyes at me.
"No! I suggest you retract your outlandish statement! Because I did no such thing! I specifically carried out your orders to the letter and did everything I could to ensure our groups survival while carrying out our mission!" Scathach retorted.
"Obviously your best was not enough!" I retorted back and Scathach's hands tightened into her fist.
"Listen here you…." Scathach said before being cut off.
"Chris please don't blame Lancer!" Jeanne spoke up in Scathach's defense; I turned and faced Jeanne in surprise. Jeanne looked at me with pleading eyes and I gave into her. "What Lancer says is true; she is not at fault for Marie's death. Lancer was an excellent Leader who lead us to Saint George, she was the one who made the strongest case for Marie to come with us. However it was ultimately Marie's decision to stay behind and make sure the citizens of the town had enough time to escape. She sacrificed herself so they could escape and relieve Saint George of his duty along with assigning him to assist us." Jeanne said and after a few moments I sighed and uncurled my fist.
"I guess I should have expected as much from Marie…" I said and Scathach raised an eyebrow. I turned to face Scathach and apologized to her. "I'm sorry Lancer I take back what I said."
"Apologize accepted." Scathach said blankly, but I could tell she was still irritated at what I had said. I turned to face Amadeus who I imagined was more distraught by this news than anyone else. Amadeus had cupped his chin and his eyes were closed.
"I see. So she said she would stay behind. Mmm, there was no helping it I guess." Amadeus said and I think all of us were taken aback about how well he was taking the news.
"Amadeus I'm sorry. We tried to convince her to let us fight with her, but she wouldn't have any of it and demanded we escape without her." Scathach said pushing past me up to Amadeus. "From what I sensed she fought bravely and managed to defeat at least one other servant before Alter Jeanne killed her. She no doubt gave the citizens of the town the time they needed to escape." Scathach said. "I'm sorry I couldn't bring her back for you to fulfill her wish of hearing you play the piano once more. You have my condolences." Scathach said apologetically.
"Thank you Lancer, but please don't mind me. No matter what you could've said she would've stayed behind anyways." Amadeus said nodding his head. "Marie was always quite the philanthropist. That was how she lived her life, she accepted death knowing this." Amadeus said and then turned his attention to Jeanne and George. "More importantly, please hurry and let us remove Siegfried's curse." Amadeus said.
"Un-Understood!" Jeanne said nodding her head and George and her walked over to Siegfried. Jeanne and George placed their hands out in front of them and began chanting indistinguishable words. Siegfried began to glow green and black stuff exited out from his body before rising into the air and dispersing. As if they were sucking the poison out of his body.
"Amadeus-san…" Mashu murmured as she placed a hand on Amadeus's shoulder. I turned my attention and faced Amadeus who looked at Mashu with a smile on his face, this took Mashu by surprise.
"I said it was alright. I understood this was a possibility. Come on. Do you remember what Marie said about my piano?" Amadeus asked and he turned and faced Mashu. "Those were her last words before she separated us. When I was alive, I wanted to make that come true." Amadeus said truthfully. "But even if she had heard my piano, it probably wouldn't have stopped her." Amadeus said with a sigh. "Anyways, It just means I'll have to bear separating her a second time. At least, this second time was much happier. It's pointless to think we may meet again." Amadeus said. "Tch too have to separate with a loved one for a second time… that seems unbearable." I thought to myself and I felt my leather gloves tighten into a fist.
"Don't you think you may meet again if you both once again became Heroic Spirits?" Mashu inquired and I sighed. "Mashu you're sweet, but once we destroy all of the Greater Grails it's unlikely Heroic Spirits will ever exist again." I thought to myself not wanting to say it out loud. "Just like this time, you may be summoned onto another battlefield." Mashu said and Amadeus shook his head.
"No, I don't think that's possible Mashu. There are so many other Heroic Spirits; the chances of that happening are slim to none." Amadeus said with a sigh. "This time, was a miracle for both me and her to meet. Well, if an eccentric master decides to summon me then perhaps it would be a different story." Amadeus said. "At any rate, I've become a bit tired. I'm going to excuse myself for a while, please call me when it's time depart." Amadeus said wearily before he set off in the direction we had come from. Mashu reached her hand out grasping at thin air.
"Amadeus Wait…!" Mashu exclaimed and was about to go after him before I placed a hand on her shoulder and stopped her.
"Mashu it's best that you leave him be for now." I said and Mashu looked over her shoulder at me in surprise.
"But Senpai…." Mashu said trailing off.
"Losing a loved one does things to a man's heart. He needs to be alone for a while." I said and Mashu turned around and nodded her head at me.
"Alright I understand." Mashu said.
"Let him be, anyone in his position would want to be alone." Elizabeth said and Mashu and I turned to face Elizabeth and Kiyohime.
"That's right Mashu. You don't understand a man's heart." Kiyohime said nodding her head in agreement.
"Yes you're right. Let's end this discussion here…" Mashu said sadly before glancing at the two mischievous girls. "….. Why are you here anyways?" Mashu asked and the two girls glanced at one another.
"YES Christopher! Why are these two girls here!" Scathach sneered from behind me and I glanced over my shoulder at Scathach, Scathach was tapping her forearm as she narrowed her eyes at me. "In fact who are these two girls?" Scathach inquired and I sweat dropped.
"Well….." I said trailing off as I glanced my eyes at Mashu.
"I'm Elizabeth Bathory, the true Dragon Master!" Elizabeth said jerking her thumb back at herself.
"And I'm Kiyohime." Kiyohime said softly.
"That's great!" Scathach said clapping her hands together. "Christopher I'd like to have a word with you!" Scathach said with a fake smile on her face.
"Uh…. S-Sure?" I said hesitantly worried about what Scathach was going to chew me out on this time. Scathach grabbed my arm and Mashu's arm as well and dragged us off away from the two girls. Once we were out of earshot behind a tree Scathach turned around and faced us. "What is it Lancer?" I asked.
"Christopher are you aware who Elizabeth Bathory is?" Scathach asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Umm…" I said cupping my chin. "No could you remind me?" I said and Scathach face palmed.
"She's a younger version Carmilla you idiot!" Scathach exclaimed as she dragged her hand down her face.
"The Blood Countess Senpai!" Mashu said.
"Oh… OH!" I said and Scathach facepalmed even harder.
"You moron! Don't tell me you seriously forgot who Carmilla was?" Scathach asked.
"NO! But We haven't even seen or faced Carmilla for at least three to four days! How am I supposed to remember someone I hardly see?" I exclaimed. "Also how the hell is that girl Elizabeth Bathory? She has a dragon tail and horns! And her hair is fucking red! If I recall Carmilla had white hair, no horns, and no tail!" I exclaimed.
"Ugh I don't even know, but it is her. I swear…and are you at least aware of the tale of Kiyohime?" Scathach asked.
"Uh No. Not really." I said and Scathach sighed. "What? I can't remember every single piece of history!" I exclaimed.
"Kiyohime wasn't history Senpai." Mashu said correcting me and I turned to face her. "Kiyohime was a tale of a young girl who fell in love with a man, who ended up abandoning her, so she hunted him down and killed him in cold blood." Mashu explained.
"Well then…. How pleasant…!" I said sarcastically. "Two Serial Killers! How delightful"
"No shit! So why are they with you?" Scathach asked.
"I don't know? We found them in Thiers! They were acting like spoiled children so I knocked some sense into them." I said shrugging my shoulders. "And I guess they followed us here. I wasn't really paying much attention; I was too busy trying to get to you in time!" I exclaimed.
"Ugh…. You basically brought two little devils with you." Scathach muttered and sighed.
"Mashu why didn't you say anything?" I exclaimed turning to Mashu.
"Well they weren't attacking us Senpai so I felt like it wasn't urgent to tell you." Mashu said. "Also you never ordered us to kill them, so I didn't stop them from following us." Mashu added and I sighed.
"Alright, Alright. So what should we do?" I asked and turned to face Scathach.
"Oh you want my advice? I thought my opinion wasn't worth anything seeing as how you said I wasn't good enough." Scathach said mockingly.
"Oh don't start with me! I said I was sorry!" I said sternly shaking my finger at her and Scathach rolled her eyes. "I swear Scathach, you really are a pain in the ass." I thought to myself.
"Just order me to kill them and I'll make it happen!" Scathach said opening the palm of her hand and her Red Spear materialized in her hand and I cupped my chin.
"Mmm…. As much as I wouldn't mind if you killed them…." I said and Scathach rose an eyebrow. "I figure if they are willing to help us then we can at least use them in our fight against Alter Jeanne. They should provide a good distraction or at the very least good cannon fodder." I said nodding my head in agreement with myself. Scathach frowned at my words, but eventually she closed her eyes and nodded her head.
"Very well I suppose, so long as they are cannon fodder I have no objections." Scathach said and slid her spear onto her back. "However if they so much as step out of line, I will cut them down immediately." Scathach said and opened her eyes.
"I have no objections to that." I said.
"It seems a little harsh, but If it's what you two feel is best." Mashu said shrugging her shoulders. "You have the final word in these matters Senpai."
"Well let's go back to those little devils." I said and we all nodded our heads and returned to Kiyohime and Elizabeth who were chatting amongst themselves. They perked up and turned to face us when we got closer.
"You two are permitted to tag along with us, however…" Scathach said narrowing her eyes. "You best behave yourself otherwise you will no longer be allowed to travel with us." Scathach said, technically that was a lie. I had no doubt Scathach would stay true to her word if they stepped out of line.
"Geez Alright your Highness." Elizabeth scoffed.
"Don't need to sound so pessimistic. We can provide our assistance in combat." Kiyohime said.
"Well while we're glad for the help…." I said before being cut off.
"Chris!" I heard Jeanne exclaim from our side and I turned to see Jeanne rushing up to us. Jeanne had a cheerful expression on her face as she rushed up to us. "George and I have successfully removed Siegfried's curse!" Jeanne exclaimed and stopped in front of me.
"Great work Jeanne!" I said and patted Jeanne's head. "Thank god finally some good news!" I thought to myself and sighed a mental sigh of relief.
"By the way Master!" Kiyohime exclaimed and I turned to face her in surprise.
"Huh? What? Me? Master?" I said pointing a finger back at myself and Kiyohime nodded her head.
"Of course you. Although temporarily, why don't we form a contract with each other, Master?" Kiyohime said. "Oh No! Not a contract with two psychotic heroic servants!" I thought to myself. "Just pointing out your pinky is enough." Kiyohime said with a warm smile.
"Well umm…." I said rubbing the back of my head.
"Ahem Master…" Jeanne said and I felt her wrap her arm around mine. I looked to my side to see Jeanne staring at me with large eyes.
"Yes Master…" Scathach said and I felt her grab my back and I winced as she twisted my skin.
"Master…" Mashu said and I looked down to see Mashu staring up at me with big eyes. I felt Jeanne's grip grow tighter, Scathach fingers pinch me harder, and Mashu's eyes grow larger.
"SORRY! I can't! As you see I already have three servants!" I exclaimed putting on the best fake smile I had in my arsenal. "Anymore servants would surely kill me or be unsustainable." I said.
"I see….What a shame" Elizabeth and Kiyohime said in unison with a frown. I felt Scathach let go of my skin and a wave of relief washed over me. Jeanne's grip loosened and Mashu backed away a foot or two.
"Yes! Tis a shame." I said sarcastically. They didn't seem to notice, but I managed to dodge a bullet not only from two crazy and evil servants, but from my own three servants. I don't know why they had to get so defensive! I wasn't even planning on forming a contract with them anyway! I can't sustain five servants, are they crazy? Or do they think I'm just that stupid of a master.
"Chris." Jeanne said and I snapped my attention to her.
"Oh yeah that's right Jeanne, you and George relieved Siegfried of his curse." I said and Jeanne nodded her head.
"Yes, there should be no more problems. As expected, by myself I wouldn't have been able to remove the curse." Jeanne said, but then her expression turned to one of sorrow. "…It's all thanks to Marie. Because of her, our lives were spared." Jeanne said and her eyes drooped. Then Jeanne looked up at me determinedly. "Just as she had protected us, I want to protect us all as well." Jeanne said and I smiled.
"You're already doing a great job at that Jeanne." I said praising her. Jeanne smiled and I patted her head.
"For the sake of this time period, this world, and this country. The "Dragon Witch"…. And her dragons must…. No WILL be defeated." Jeanne said I nodded my head.
"Yes Jeanne." I said in agreement. "You can let go of my arm by the way." I added and red streak went across Jeanne's face. Jeanne quickly let go and retracted herself next to Mashu, Mashu let out a slight giggle.
"Alright, I can move properly. Thank you for taking care of me, I'm very sorry Christopher for what a burden I've been." Siegfried voice came from my other side and I turned to see Siegfried walking up to us with George following behind him. "No, Master…. It would be more proper for me to call you that…" Siegfried said, but I raised my hand cutting him off.
"Siegfried please no need to call me your Master. Just calling me by my name will do." I said, Siegfried was taken aback by my words.
"Very well Christopher. All of you took care of me, so I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." Siegfried said placing his hand on his chest and bowing at us. "So, in return I offer you my assistance. My body shall be your sword and shield." Siegfried said and I nodded my head. "My true name is Siegfried. I am a servant that has no other talent besides killing dragons but it is an honor to fight alongside you." Siegfried said.
"We'll all be counting on you Siegfried." I said nodding my head.
"Alright, now our forces are complete!" Doctor Roman's voice said.
"Yes, that's right, isn't it Senpai!" Mashu exclaimed and everyone turned their attention to me.
"Ahem Yes that's right." I said clearing my throat. "Isn't that right Jeanne?" I said turning to face Jeanne, who widened her eyes. Then Jeanne nodded her head and a smile formed on her lips. "Now let's go and take back Orleans!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, understood Senpai!" Mashu said nodding her at me with a smile.
"That was goal from the beginning Christopher. Except back then Jeanne wanted to rush blindly into Orleans with only the three of us. Now we actually have the numbers to mount an offensive on Orleans." Scathach said and crossed her arms. Jeanne glared at Scathach disapprovingly, but eventually returned her gaze at me.
"…. Hmph. Well if you say that then there's no helping it, I'll help you little puppy." Elizabeth said and crossed her arms and nodded her head.
"Little puppy? I swear to god I'm going to bash your head again!" I murmured under my breath.
"Oh, Elizabeth. How rude of you to call my lover a little puppy!" Kiyohime exclaimed. "Oh NO! Not Lover! Things didn't go over well for her last lover!" I thought to myself in a panic.
"….D-did you just have a complete change of personality….? W-well whatever." Elizabeth scoffed and crossed her arms. "I am not such a cheap dragon unlike you. I'm going to meet my extra special master someday!" Elizabeth said cockily with a smug smile and I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, so the horn on your head isn't the only thing twisted. Seeking an impossible dream… Is your head okay?" Kiyohime asked tilting her head.
"It's not an impossible dream! It's the truth! Of that I am convinced.!" Elizabeth exclaimed and turned around to face Kiyohime. "I'll someday meet a Master that is to my liking and will love me!" Elizabeth said clasping her hands dreamy eyed.
"Yes yes, your head is as clear as the blue sky isn't it?" Kiyohime asked sarcastically and I sighed. "Oh good grief. I wish had ordered Scathach to kill them." I thought to myself.
"…. How noisy and splendid this group is. Of course, it would be my pleasure to provide my assistance." Saint George said bowing his head at me and I nodded my head at him in return. "At least Saint George has a clear head on his shoulders." I thought to myself.
"Oh, we're already leaving? Then I shall join you. I've come this far anyways." Amadeus said walking over to us, it appeared as if Amadeus had come back from his time alone. I nodded my head at him in acknowledgement.
"Christopher!" Jeanne exclaimed and I turned my attention to Jeanne.
"Yes Jeanne?" I asked.
"Let us head out! We should put as much distance between us and the town." Jeanne said. "Let us also get as close as we can to Orleans!" Jeanne added and I nodded my head.
"Yes agreed. The closer we get too Orleans, the better." I said nodding my head. "Lead the way Jeanne D'arc! We march under your banner to Orleans!" I said with a smile. Jeanne's eyes widened and after a moment she smiled warmly at me and nodded her head.
"Yes I shall lead the way!" Jeanne exclaimed as she pulled her flag out of the ground and we fell in behind Jeanne in straight line, marching towards Orleans under her flag as man before us had once done.
A Day later
"Tonight we'll camp here. Let's prepare for tomorrow's decisive battle…" Jeanne exclaimed as she firmly planted her banner into the ground and the flag rested. I rested against a tree and held my chest as I caught my breath, we had been marching for over a day and the moon was high in the sky illuminating the forest floor. "Before we can properly set up a base camp, we need to secure the perimeter!" Jeanne exclaimed. I glanced around the forest and saw nothing; I walked over to a tree stump and sat down.
"Uh I need some water. My throat is parched." I said coughing as my throat felt dry.
"Senpai please leave that to Amadeus and I!" Mashu exclaimed and I shot my head up. Mashu had already grabbed Amadeus's arm and was heading off into the woods.
"Wait Mashu….!" I exclaimed, but it was already too late. Amadeus and Mashu were already long gone.
"Did Mashu forget we could just get water from Chaldea?" Scathach said walking up to me with her arms crossed.
"I guess so?" I said puzzled and asked. "Did they even grab a bucket?"
"No." Scathach replied and I sighed.
"Mashu, Mashu, Mashu." I murmured putting my face in my hands. "I swear Mashu. You're extremely smart, but sometimes I just wonder." I said.
"Well they'll figure out eventually either on the way to get water or at the water source that they didn't bring anything to carry the water in." Scathach said and I sighed once more.
"Director…." I said and a few moments passed before I got a response.
"Yes Operative?" Olga's voice buzzed in my ears.
"Can you send supplies, ammo, food, water, and the usual." I said.
"And as usual you'll need a summoning circle…" Olga said.
"And for a summoning circle we'll need…." I said and shot up.
"MASHU!" Scathach and I cried out….
"This isn't good. We just went to fetch some water and we're under attack by the enemy, how unlucky." Amadeus said withdrawing his baton from his jacket. I glanced around the forest and sensed several enemies approaching our location. I glanced around our surroundings as I took my shield off of my back.
"Amadeus over here! I'll go up to the front line, so please hide behind me!" I exclaimed. Amadeus glanced over his shoulder at me.
"I'd take you up your offer…. For there isn't a reason not to. This time the situation is different." Amadeus said and I looked at him with a confused expression. "Even with you as vanguard there is no escape. We should fight together here." Amadeus said and I widened my eyes in surprise.
"Amadeus-san! Are you sure, you'll be injured!" I exclaimed and a smirk formed on Amadeus's mouth.
"Ah I'll be fine, this is just a rehearsal for tomorrow's fight. I don't care if I get a few scratches." Amadeus said and I reluctantly nodded my head.
"Alright Amadeus if you say so." I said and stood next to him with my shield in front of me. The yellow eyes of the enemy emerged from the darkness and there were eight pairs of eyes looking at us. "Geez! What was I thinking running off! Christopher is going to scold me heavily!" I thought to myself. The first pair of werewolves emerged from the woods and leaped towards me, I stepped forward and swung my shield right as the werewolf got close and sent it flying into the woods hitting a tree. There was loud crack as there werewolf's spine snapped and it fell to the ground dead. Two more werewolves charged towards me and I rose my shield in front of me. The first werewolf impacted with my shield and bounced off hitting the ground, and I swung my shield as the second one got closer cutting through it's underbelly of the werewolf fell to the ground dead. The werewolf that had fallen to the ground, got up and started attacking me. The werewolf clawed at my shields and I pushed at the werewolf and it fell backwards. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain as a werewolf dug his claws, and the wolf snapped at my neck and leg. I grabbed the muzzle of the wolf and kept him at bay the best I could.
"Get off of me!" I exclaimed and then suddenly the pain disappear from my shoulder, and there was a loud whimper from the werewolf as I turned to find it on it's back with its eyes closed. I raised my shield over my head and smashed my shield down onto the werewolf and dirt shot up out of the ground as small crater appeared around the werewolf. I heard the bones snap inside there werewolf and a deathly cry before I lifted up my shield to find the crushed remains of the werewolf in crater in a puddle of blood and bones sticking out from its body.
"Mashu duck!" Amadeus cried out as I turned around to see four golden portals above Amadeus with more sharp Violin bows emerged. I hit the ground and they flew overhead and I turned to see them impale two werewolves. I quickly jumped to my feet and backed up slowly, returning to Amadeus. I sense more werewolves heading in our direction.
"Even more Werewolves! I suggest we retreat Amadeus-san." I exclaimed as two werewolves emerged from the darkness. I swung my shield slamming into the first one, causing the first one to smash into the second one and they landed far away either dead or unconscious. "In fact now would be a really good time!"
Amadeus nodded his head at me in agreement. "Agreed Mashu let us make our exit off of the stage!" Amadeus and I turned around and we started running. We kept running farther and faster for several minutes pushing through trees and bushes. Not stopping until we could no longer sense the enemy's presence. It wasn't until then that we came to a stop and Amadeus held his chest panting as he leaned against a tree. Amadeus wheezed and huffed.
"We managed to somehow lose them in the forest." Amadeus said and I nodded my head.
"Yes surprisingly." I said.
"Christopher and Jeanne are probably worried about us, however let us rest a bit before heading back to the camp." Amadeus said sitting down on top of a rock. I glanced around to see there was a variety of tall grass and flowers and I found a small pond. The water was crystal clear and a deep blue, it was truly a beautiful sight. I placed my shield down against the tree Amadeus was sitting next too and kneeled in front of the water. I closed my eyes and held my hands out in front of me. I murmured the words needed to cast projection magic and after a moment I opened them to find a silver bucket in front of me. I grasped the handle of the bucket and dipped it into the water, getting as much water as it could hold, before raising it back up. I set the bucket down and faced Amadeus. Amadeus noticed I was looking at him and returned my stare.
"Yes what is it Mashu? You're staring at me." Amadeus asked with a calm expression.
"….. um. Is it alright to ask you a question at this time?" I asked, it was a question that had been eating away at me for some time now.
"Yes, it's alright. Small or big either way is alright. Ask away." Amadeus said casually. "Because after all, tomorrow is the decisive battle. It's better to let it out instead of keeping it inside." Amadeus said nodding his head.
"…. Right. I hate to bring this back up…." I apologized and Amadeus looked at me with a perplexed expression on his face. "I'm talking about Marie's death. You said this Amadeus: "The thing humans would choose to love most is themselves"." I said, repeating Amadeus's words. "I just don't understand what you mean." I said. "I-I mean, I understand the meaning. It's the word "choose", that is the part I don't understand." I explained as best as I could. "I mean because, choosing to do the right thing is the morally good thing to do, but not doing so is morally bad." I said recalling what I had been taught. "That was how I was taught. I feel deep down that it's right." I said affirmatively.
"Hmm. Then what do you consider right?" Amadeus asked in return cupping his chin and he crossed his legs as he stared at me. I was taken aback and paused for a few moments as I thought about how to reply.
"Well… Something that saves many lives and sees value in many lives, I suppose." I replied.
"That's rather ill-defined. Let's assume for a moment that Christopher were not such a person. What then?" Amadeus said and I frowned at his words, I had never considered that Christopher might not be such a person. I had always thought Christopher to be a kind hearted, honorable, and just man.
"But that's…." I murmured trailing off and Amadeus's smiled.
"Forgive me, that was a mean assumption. However, keep that hesitation and discomfort in mind." Amadeus said. "Mashu, I suspect you are a person who has only recently gained her freedom." Amadeus said and I tilted my head in confusion. "As such, you freeze in the face of hard choices and have doubts about the person you are becoming." Amadeus explained and I thought for a few moments about what he had said.
"... Yes, I think you might be right. I, uh didn't know much about the outside world." I said and closed my eyes, It wasn't until Christopher took me out of the confines Chaldea that I had first experienced the outside world, but… "...No. Maybe I never had the right to care for anything in the first place." I said shaking my head. "Because I…" I said before Amadeus cut off.
"Oh, dear. You truly are pure white, aren't you?" Amadeus asked. "You're like a music sheet without a single note on it." Amadeus said and those words didn't seem to comfort me. "But heed my words, Mashu. Even if you are a doll created for the sole purpose of fighting…." Amadeus said. "It is your own duty to decide what kind of person you want to be." Amadeus said and I opened up my eyes in surprise.
"Duty…..? Do I have the right, am I even qualified?" I asked and Amadeus smiled once more.
"Ah, it's your duty. Of course you are qualified!" Amadeus exclaimed. "Every human has that responsibility. Because, humans are creatures with deep intellect." Amadeus said. "What to care for, what to dislike, what is considered precious, what is considered evil." Amadeus went on. "Those are the things you must choose for yourself. You don't have to listen to what others say." Amadeus said and I widened my eyes in realization. "Humans are diverse. Not everyone is equal." Amadeus said which contrasted with what I had mostly heard before. "We've all learned many different things, seen many places. Because of that we are able to live a complete life." Amadeus explained. "Listen, the world is not what you make of it. You are what the world makes of you." Amadeus said with a warm smile. "And when you grow up someday, you must cross this world." Amadeus said. "Whatever may be the case I wanted to leave evidence that I was here. And that's what I did. I left behind my music.." Amadeus said trailing off for a moment. "Ah, even so, it was pretty insignificant was it not?" Amadeus said and I gasped!
"That can't possibly be true! People all around the world have heard your music Amadeus!" I exclaimed and Amadeus shook his head and frowned.
"After all, I am a man who couldn't even bear witness to the death of his one and only first love." Amadeus said in a somber tone. "My legacy may have been lived by many, but my actual life was nothing special." Amadeus said. "Still I lived a good life by all accounts. However Human beings are filthy and unpleasant. My conclusion still stands." Amadeus said. "There are sinners that can shine, and there are also saints that make one retch. So there is no need for you to fear your own future Mashu." Amadeus said reassuringly. "You are made by this world, as the world grows, so do you. That is what it means to be human." Amadeus said smiling. "Begin by absorbing all you can from the world and then return those favors to the world as you see fit later. Whatever you may become, the troublesome part is what comes after." Amadeus said with a smile.
"Amadeus-san…." I murmured trailing off as I frowned.
"However, most things in this world have a fair value and a result fit for such value." Amadeus explained. "As was the case with my music and my life." Amadeus said. "Humans will be humans, in the end their malice will be their ruin. After all, if not so then humanity can't move forward." Amadeus went on. "Evil is basically, an obstacle for life to overcome so that they can prosper. The moment when "evil" can't be eliminated, is also the end of humanity. That is simply what I think." Amadeus said and stood up. "…. It seems we've caught our breath back. Let's end this break, Mashu and let us get back to everyone. I'm sure that everyone is worried." Amadeus said. I nodded my head and grabbed the water bucket by the handle and stood up lifting it up. "Most likely this is the last time we shall chat. For some reason, it turned into quite a bit of a lecture. I can only hope you were about to learn something of value out of it." Amadeus said. "Still however I'm pleased that we were alone for this final talk. From start to finish, you're a charming young lady Mashu." Amadeus said and I smiled faintly at his kind words. "It may be because of this battle but, if Marie had never been here perhaps I would've proposed to you." Amadeus said with a warm smile and my eyes widened in surprise. "To think the great composer Amadeus would have considered composing to me!" I thought to myself.
"... I see. Thank you very much Amadeus, I will never forget what you've said here to me today." I said.
"Indeed! You pass, Mademoiselle!" Amadeus said closing his eyes and smiled brightly. "I want you to remember one last." Amadeus said and I nodded my head listening. "Whatever happens, when we separate the best thing to do is smile."
Thank you for Reading Fated Destiny! I hope you enjoyed and as always feel free to leave appropriate feedback and constructive reviews, they really help me out. Fated Destiny has a Discord BTW incase you're interested in talking about Fated Destiny or Fate with other fans, if interested just let me know! Also be sure to tell everyone you know who likes Fate about Fated Destiny! If the next chapter is not available please check back on either Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday.